Understanding the Personal Networks of People Experiencing Homelessness in King County, WA with Aggregate Relational Data.

Personal networks among people experiencing homelessness are vital but often overlooked. Drawing on a unique three-year dataset (2022-2024) from over 3,000 unhoused individuals in King County, Washington, this study analyzes the structure and change of four different personal networks: acquaintances, close friends, kinship (household), and peer referrals. Using this respondent-driven sample data set, we find that the mean size of the acquaintance networks ranged from 22 to 27 people, while the mean number of close friendships declined from 4.9 to 4.19. This drop, despite population growth, suggests a decrease in network density and potentially an increase in social isolation or a shift in composition (e.g., more people experiencing homelessness for the first time). However, we do see growth in the kinship networks, which grew slightly, indicating a greater prevalence of family cohomelessness or reliance on kin. These shifts highlight the need for policies that foster social connection and community stability.